standby

/stand"buy'/, n., pl. standbys, adj.

n.

1. a staunch supporter or adherent; one who can be relied upon.

2. something upon which one can rely and therefore choose or use regularly.

3. something or someone held ready to serve as a substitute, esp. a radio or television program used as a filler in case of cancellation of a regularly scheduled program.

4. a traveler who is waiting for last-minute accommodations to become available on a plane, train, or other transport as a result of a cancellation.

5. on standby, in a state of readiness to act, respond, or be used immediately when needed.

adj.

6. kept readily available for use in an emergency, shortage, or the like: a standby player.

7. of or pertaining to last-minute accommodations, the transport that offers them, or a traveler who is waiting for them: a standby flight.

8. of or pertaining to a waiting period. Also, stand by.

[1790-1800; n., adj. use of v. phrase stand by]

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